Computing apparatus



Feb. 26, 1963 c. .1. GooDALE COMPUTING APPARATUS 5 Sheets-Shen 1 Original Filed June 8, 1953 avi %\\1 SI Feb. 26, 1963 c. J. GooDALE 3,079,477

COMPUTING APPARATUS Original Filed June 8, 1953 I5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Feb. 26, 1963 c. J. GooDALE 3,079,477

COMPUTING APPARATUS Original Filed June 8, 1953 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 ffl ya? United States Patent 3,079,477 COMPUTING APPARATUS Charles J. Goodale, 29 George St., Springeid, Mass. Original application June 8, 1953, Ser. No. 360,121, now Patent No. 2,928,595, dated Mar. 15, 1960. Divided and this application Mar. 8, 1960, Ser. No. 13,608 5 Claims. (Cl. 2130-92) The present invention relates to apparatus capable of carrying out computing methods wherein mechanical movements may be largely replaced by electronic devices. This application is a division of the copending application Serial No. 360,121, tiled June 8, 1953, now Patent No. 2,928,595, dated March l5, 1960.

Some of the main objects ofthe invention are to provide, such as for purposes of apparatus according to the above patent, apparatus for carrying out algebraic summations by means of scale elements, and to provide computing apparatus which performs quickly and reliably mathematical operations, especially such summations.

Other objects of the invention are to provide an accounting machine which performs its operations in simple and yet reliable manner, unhampered by requirements introduced by complicated counting and accumu lating procedures and accordingly more or les-s complicated mechanical gear; to provide a computing machine which materially reduces Ithe length of time between the recording of collected data, and the evaluation thereof at the same or another place; to provide a computing machine which is composed of operating units which are only electrically interconnected, so that they can be easily rearranged and combined to form complete machines suitable for Various purposes; to provide apparatus of this type which `furnishes final data without any preliminary or subsequent sorting operation of the records from which this data are collected and without the necessityl for highly manual preparatory work, which sorts automatically by way of a source recorder or subordinate unit, and which furnishes these data in a minimum period of time from the first recordat-ion thereof; and to provide computing apparatus of :this type which eliminates any need for reading, copying, or transcribing steps intermediate the initial co1- lecting of the data concerned, and the final evaluation thereof.

Further objects of the invention are to provide fully eifective and reliable apparatus for dening and puttin-g into effect the shifting reference principle used according to my above mentioned patent, to provide effective and s imple apparatus for translating accumulated data into a visible record, to control the computing operations of the machine by means of counting and operational indicia and sequence indicia combined in a manner which renders these operations speedy, reliable and practically independent o-f irregularities of the indicia, and .to provide electrically controlled and actuated means for shifting counting elements, for operating contact controlling elements, and for operating printing mechanisms in a particularly simple and effective man- In one of the aspects of the invention, the above objects are attained by coupling lone or the other of two counting members to an actuating means which is adapted to advance `stepwise in a given direction under the control of sequence indicia, and under the control of means for coupling one or the other counting member Ito the actuating means under control of and during steps determined by counting indicia conjointly with the sequence indicia, means being in -addition provided which are controlled by operational indicia for selecting one or the other of the counting members yfor coupling by "ice means of lthe counting indicia Ato the sequence indicia actuated stepping means; one of the counting members is provided with means, such as electric contacts which yare part of a relay circuit, for indicating the relative position of the two counting members independently of their position regarding the machine considered as a mechanical struc-ture.

Additional features of the invention include magnetically controlled movements which serve as clutching and switching elements and operate by shifting a coupling member from a permanent magnet fastened to one of two relatively movable elements to an electrically controlled magnet fastened to the other element which may be a rotatable shaft; commutator switches with circular contacts whose angle relation conforms to the operational relation of the above mentioned counting members and permits a wide range of correlation of computing operations as controlled by the record indicia; and an arrangement for printing computation results by means anmogous to the accumulating means.

These and other objects, aspects and features ywill appear from the following description of a typical practical embodiment illustrating the novel characteristics of my invention. This ldescription refers to drawings in which FIGS. l and 2 represent a view, partially in axial section, of the accumulator unit of the apparatus yshown in FIG. l of my above-identified patent;

FIG. 3 is a section on lines 3--3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a section on lines 4-4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is an exploded isometric view of the clutch mechanism shown in FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 6 is ya section on lines 6-6 of FIG. l;

FIGS. 7 and 8 are elevations showing the contact faces of the commu-tator switch disks shown in FIG. l;

FIGS. 9 and l0 are schematical combined views of the commutators shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, in two characteristic positions;

FIG. l1 is a vertical section through the printing unit of the apparatus according to the invention;

FIGS. 12 and 13 are elevations showing the contact faces of the commutator switch disks shown in FIG. 11; and

FIG. 14 is a schematical combined view of the commutators shown in FIGS. l2 and 13.

Apparatus according to the present invention lends itself very well to unit construction and to the assembly o-f unit elements, each performing its particular function, in operational combinations and spatial set-ups selected according lto individual requirements. While the embodiment herein described represents a machine that performs operations satisfying average computing requirements, it should be understood Ithat it can be used as an element of apparatus fulfilling different, perhaps more elaborate, requirements and that its units and elements can be employed in combinations other than that herein referred to. t

Accumulator units according to the invention can be conveniently mounted `on base board 101 which may be fastened to the main base plate 31 of the cabinet, with side frame boards 102 and 103, as indicated in FIGS. l and 2 which together constitute a single view, partly in section, of the accumulator assembly. The movable portions of the accumulator are guided upon or fastened to a shaft which is journaled in frame walls 102 and 103 by means of ball bearings 108 and 109.

The shaft 105 can be rotated in steps of prearranged magnitude, by means of stepping or sequence solenoids Z1, Z2, Zfi (FIGS. l and 2) each of which consist of a magnet winding 111 and Ia housing 112 fastened to plate 101 by brackets 128. Into housing 112 are screwed holding plates 115, which secure the coil within the housing, and also determined, by means of rims 116, the travel fof armature plunge-rs 118 which are by means of rods r links 119 `and one way couplings 120 joined to shaft 155. As shown especially in FIG. 4, couplings 121) may be ball clutches consisting of two bearing rings 121, 122, `and therebetween a clutch ring 123 which has a cam recess 124 conflning a ball 125 between its face and the shaft 105. As well known, the clutch body will be attached to shaft 1415 only when it rotates in the direction indicated by the arrows of FIGS. l and 4, whereas the shaft is released when the clutch body is rotated in the opposite direction. Thus, the shaft 1615 is rotated through steps corresponding to the stroke of each respective plunger if the latter moves in the direction of the arrow of FIG. 3. It will be observed that rotation of shaft 105 by solenoid Z1 will not affect the other solenoid's whose one way clutch will then be idle, and vice versa. As indicated in FlG. 3, the strokes of solenoids Z1, Z2 and Z4 are stepped in the ratio l:2:4. 'Ihe plunger of solenoid Z2 floats, but its length is so selected that, when de-energized, it permits the plunger of solenoid Z4 to `assume its full stroke, whereas when Z2 is energized, its plunger advances to an extent which presets the stroke of the plunger of Z4 to one-half of its full value. Hence, (a) the stroke of solenoid Z2 pushing the plunger of de-energized solenoid Z4, '(b) the stroke of vsolenoid Z4 as preset iby solenoid Z2, (c) the stroke of solenoid Z1, `and (d) the normal stroke of solenoid Z4 as shortened by the previous stroke of solenoid Z2, bear the ratio :relation of 2:2:l:4. As will be fully explained hereinbelow, these strokes are affected by appropriate circuit control, their four values correspond to those of the four counting code marks discussed above with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8, and they permit `the definition of any one of the nine digits in any decade position.

The accumulator unit `further contains a number 0f digit counter sets which are in this art sometimes also referred to as accumulator sets, one for each order or position. Only two of these sets are shown in FIG. l, namely the units and tens counter sets. Each counter set consists of two permanent magnets 131, 132, which have bores permitting shaft 105 to rotate freely therewithin, and which are fastened to base plate 1111 by brackets 134. Fixed to shaft 105 `are core bo-dies 135, 136 of magnetic material. Solenoid coils Za and ZS, mounted on brackets 165, surround co-re bodies 135, 136 and define gaps 160. Rotatably connected to shaft 105 by means of ball bearings 141, 142 lare two clutch sleeves 143, 144, each of which carries a commutator disk, indicated at 145 and 146, of insulating material, and has a coupling slot, indicated at 155, 156, compare also FIG. 5.

These commutator disks carry, riveted or otherwise fastened thereto, live concentric contact sectors S1, S2, S3, S4, S16 and companion sectors S11, S12, S13, S14 and S15 as indicated in FIGS. 7, 8 and 9. The contact sectors of the respective commutator disks are in sliding contact making engagement while in coinciding angular position. It will be noted that FIG. 7 is aVview seen `from the right-hand side of lFIG. 1, whereas FIG. 8 is a similar iview seen from the left-hand side of FIG. l; FIG. 9 shows the commutator contacts of both disks in super-imposed position, seen from the left-hand side of FIG. 1. As indicated in lFIG. 7, the angular distance between the extreme ends of the commutator contacts S1, S2, S3, S4, S16 of disk 145 is 36, that is 1A() of the entire circumference, and corresponding to a step of value 1. Ten equidistant points of the circumference of this disk define ten digit positions, from O to 9, as likewise indicated at FIG. 7. The ends of the contact segments S11, S12, S13, S14, S15 of commutator 146 are similarly deiined, as indicated in FIG. V8. The respective disks 145 and 146 rotate, when coupled to shaft 105, in the same direction, as indicated by the arrows applied to the respective figures.

`Between permanent magnets 131, 132 and cores 135, 136 are arranged coupling slides 151, 152 which have two claws or prongs 153 engaged in the above mentioned slots 155, 156 of clutch sleeves 143, 144. The last mentioned two elements are isometrically shown in FIG. 5. The two slots 155, 156 engage the two claws 153 permanently, although the latter can move axially therewithin, so that, when coil Za is de-energized, disk 151 is attracted to permanent magnet 131 retaining sleeve 143 immovable with regard to the frame, On the other hand when coil Za is energized, the attractive force of the permanent magnets is overcome and disk 151 is attracted by core 135, which, it will be remembered, is fast to shaft 1115, so that claws 153 will now move sleeve 143 with them. In the first mentioned instance, namely with disks 151 o-r 152 fast to permanent magnets 131 or 132 (which are mounted on the apparatus base), sleeves 14301' 144 are fixed relatively to the base but permit rotation relatively to shaft 1115 on ball bearings 141 and 142; in the last mentioned instance, namely when coils Za or ZS are energized shaft 1115 and disks 143 or 144 rotate together. As will appear hereinbelow, Za and ZS are never simultaneously energized.

On radii corresponding to those of the commutator segments S1 to S5 and S11 to S15, are arranged, on the outside of disks 145 and 146, collector slip rings 175 which are conductively connected to the commutator segments, for example by the above mentioned rivets.l These rings cover uninterruptedly the entire 360 arc of the disks, and continuously contact individual brushes 131D, as indicated in FIG. l.

As mentioned above, the accumulator has a counting set for each digit position; in the present instance five sets would be provided although only two are shown in FIG. l.

The accumulator also has several relay units, which are shown in FiG. 2.

The switching elements of these relays may assume various forms, whereas their actuating structures are essentially similar, as Will now be explained with reference to FIG. 2. This iigure indicates at 171 and 172 permanentl magnets which are fastened to base 101 by means of brackets 175 and 176. Core supports indicated by numeral 131 are fastened to base 101 with brackets 185 and have guiding slot portions 186. They carry contact 'bases 187 of insulating material. Coils Zop, ZoS and Zoc are fastened to base 101 by means of brackets 165 and form gaps 195 with cores 192 of magnetic material that are fastened to core bodies 181. Within the gaps 195 move contact carriers 194 which are similar to the coupling elements shown in FIG. 5, with the difference that one claw or if desired each claw.v carries contacts 19S or contact bridges 199. As indicated in FlG. 2, there may be contact bridges on either side of the movable claw of switch element 197, or one of several contact pairs to be connected by these bridges, may be arranged on one or either side of the movable claw. The various contacts shown in FIG. 2, are not individually identified because they correspond'to those identified and described in detail with reference to the circuit diagram Fig. 20 of my above identified patent. It will now be evident that energization of coils Z moves the Switching bridges such as 194, 197 in the direction of the axis of shaft 105, while de-energization causes them to be attracted by the permanent magnets. This mode of actuation is quite similar to that of the accumulator and commutator sets, and permits use of similar parts for both types of mechanism.

It will be evident that various clutches and switches can be constructed in similar manner, in accordance with varying circuit requirements, and arranged in compact units as indicated by FIGS. l and 2.

The recorder unit is arranged in a suitable compartment and mounted on a base plate 201 and on frame walls 202, 203 and 204 (FIG. 11), with the base plate 201 secured to the main base plate 31 of the cabinet. In a space formed by walls 203, 204 and by a printing base plate 206 is mounted a printing device with a hammer solenoid Zh which is adapted to lift, when energized, a printer hammer 211 against the underside of recording card 200, inserted through a suitable slot between guides 215 and 216. The stepped upper portions of the cabinet form a feeding platform provided with indicating lines which permit registration of the card 200 with the printing mechanism. The card may be discharged through a slit in the rear wall of the cabinet. An ink ribbon 221 carried by rolls 222 and 223 supplies printing medium in well known manner. When hammer 211 is lifted, it presses card 200 against ribbon 221 and the type wheels to be described hereinbelow, thus recording the number defined .by the type wheel digits.

A shaft 205 is journaled in side walls 202 and 203 by means of ball bearings 228 and 229. This shaft performs a function similar to that of the above described accumulator shaft 105 and can be rotated stepwise by means of solenoids Zpl, Z112 and Zp4 which are in the present embodiment identical with the accumulator solenoids Z1, Z2, Z4 described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 3, and advance the shaft through the corresponding steps of 36, 72 and 144. In order simplify FIG. 1l, only one solenoid Z174 with its clutch 120 is shown.

The shaft 205 is further associated with a number of clutch elements, one for each order or position, which are similar to those described with reference to FIG. 1, with the only difference that they are equipped with gear wheels 231 in addition to the commutator disks 233, and that stationary commutator disks 235 are fastened to the energizing coils Cp. It will be noted that gear wheels 231 rotate whenever coils Zp are energized while shaft 205 turns, coupling the bearing supported switch and gear wheel sleeves 23S to cores 242 which are fixed to shaft 205. This also provides selective rotation of the commutator disks 233.

The stationary commutator disks 235 have two concentrical contact rings s22, S23 with gaps extending through 36, as shown in FIG. l2, while the rotatable disks have two contacts segments, S25, S26, covering an angle somewhat smaller than 36, as shown in FIG. 13. FIG. 14 shows the two disks in superimposition. The arrows applied to FIGS. 11, 13 and 14 indicate the respective directions of rotation, it being assumed with respect to FIGS. 13 and 14 that these figures show the contact faces of the disks of FIG. 1l. The contact elements of these commutator switches are also shown in Fig. 20 of my above-identified patent and their function is explained therein,

A` supporting rod or stationary shaft 245 is fastened to frame walls 202 and 204 and carries several hollow shafts, one for each type wheel and hence one for each order position which the machine in question is required to handle. In the present instance five type wheels 251 to 255 are shown which are correspondingly fastened to hollow shafts 261 to 265. Each type wheel is supplied with raised type numbers to 9, opposite the above mentioned ribbon 221. The other ends of shafts 261 to 265 are fast to gear wheels which mesh with the gear wheels 231 of the printer clutch units. FIG. 11 shows only two of these gear wheels, namely 271 and 272; it will be understood that .each type wheel has one of these gear wheels which again are associated with the appropriate number of clutching and commutator switching units, each with permanent magnet 241, core 242, coil Zp, commutator disk 235 and yrotatable sleeve 238 with gear wheel 231 and commutator disk 233.

It should be noted that the digit numbers of the type wheels run in reverse direction as compared to those of the accumulator wheels (as indicated in FIG. 7), having in mind the respective sense of rotation of these elements.

The operation of the above described apparatus is as follows:

The solenoid Z2 which, as above described, rotates, when energized, the shaft (FIGS. l, 2 and 3) by way of the armature of solenoid Z4, through an angle of 72 which defines the number value two and corresponds to the first code mark. The sequence tubes G2 and G4 are connected to solenoids Z4 which, as above described, is so arranged that it turns, if solenoid Z2 is energized at the time of energizing Z4, the shaft 105 through an angle defining the number value two whereas if not limited by solenoid Z2, it turns the shaft through an angle of 144 defining the value foun The sequence tube G3 is connected to solenoid Z1 which is adapted to rotate shaft 105 through an angle of 36 defining the number value one As above described, tube G5 is connected to a solenoid Zoc which operates the switch S71 for connecting line B to the commutator switches Ka. Tube G5 is further connected to solenoid Zh which operates the printer hammer.

While the accumulator solenoids Z1, Z2, Z4 are directly connected to line A, the hammer solenoid Zh and the printer solenoids Zp1, ZpZ and Z174 are connected to an auxiliary bus A31, which leads to contacts S31 of switch Zop, as above described. It will be remembered that the accumulating solenoids Z1, Z2, Z4 are energized every time one of the first four slits 43 passes light through conductors 91, 92, rendering photo tube Pt more conductive, and, with some time delay caused by network R4, C4, rendering the tubes G1, G2, G3, G4 and G5 consecutively conductive; the multi-vibrator tubes V which operate the accumulating magnets are energized somewhat before the sequence solenoids become active.

Observing now for example the accumulation of number 56789 of a record strip, it will be noted that the first two code marks of the order or column defining digit 5 are blank so that, although the first two sequence slits will operate solenoids Z2 and Z4 respectively and correspondingly rotate the shaft 105, the coupling magnets of the ten thousand set of the accumulator will not respond and the corresponding accumulator disks will remain stationary. The third code mark of the ten thousand" column will render its tube V conductive, and the third slit will shortly thereafter energize sequence solenoid Z1. The rotating shaft 105 thus finds the tens of thousands order counting disk connected thereto, and since solenoid Z1 defines the unit 1, the counting disk will be advanced one step, through 36, The code mark of the next row similarly affects the 10,000 counting tube and the corresponding fourth slot energizes sequence solenoid G4, causing the accumulator disk to advance four number values. This, together with the previous single step, defines the digit 5. Similarly, the digit 9 in the unit position of the above referred to number 56789 will be accumulated by consecutive energization, four times, of counter coupling magnet which connects the corresponding accumulating disk to shaft 105 each time one of the three sequence solenoids rotates the shaft, so that the disk will be advanced first two number Values, then again two values, then one value, and then finally four values, together nine values. In this connection it should be remembered that solenoid Z2 is energized immediately prior to energization of solenoid Z4 and that Z2 is not de-energized until Z4 becomes energized. Thus the stroke of the actuator moved by solenoid Z4 will start from the point to which it was previously advanced by solenoid Z2, and this energization of Z4 therefore affects but a two step advance of shaft 105.

The above discussed steps are defined by the position of the accumulator disk 145 (FIG. l), with regard to that of the home or zero point of the subtracting or reference disk 146.

It will be noted that for the above described adding the computing operations.

operation, the switch ZoS is in the position shown in Fig. 20, of my above-identified patent, with contacts S51 closed, and contacts S52 open,. Switches Zop and Zoc are likewise in the position shown in Fig. 20 of my aboveidentiiied patent. The commutator contacts of the several accumulating sets move relative to each other, but this movement has signiiicance only when the nine to zero region of the accumulator disk `141-5 coincides with the home point of the reference disk 146, as will be presently explained.

For subtracting, the above `described apparatus utilizes a novel procedure which is illustrated in Figs. `2l, 22 and 23 of my above-identified patent, and the general principl'e of which will now be described.

This subtracting method is based on the concept of a oating home or advancing zero position of the subtraction and reference element, as described in my above-identiiied patent.

It the computation results are to be mechanically or otherwise recorded some means have to be used for rendering the mechanical position of the floating zero or home independent of its actual meaning with regard to The apparatus according to the present invention exemplifies such an arrangement in the commutator arrangement particularly illustrated in FiGS. 7, 8, 9 and 10; As will be described hereinbelow more in detail, this arrangement permits detection and evaluation of the relative position of the counting elements, independently of their mechanical relation to the physical structure of the apparatus.

One possibility, likewise in accordance with the present invention, of subtracting by means of the floating home method will now be described.

The subtracting operation is initiated by means of a subtraction detining operational mark which attaches a respective subtracting and lioating home element 146 (PG. l) to shaft 105 and similar operations simultaneously take place for the digits in the higher positions. After the entire number to be subtracted has thus been evaluated, the end of the subtraction mark causes connecting of the adding clutch magnets Zs instead of the subtracting clutch magnets ZS. If a'further number is to be subtracted, its code marks would again be accompanied by a subtracting mark which would maintain the subtracting clutch magnets in operation, and again cause the subtracting and reference disks 1435 to be attached to shaft 105, instead of the adding disks 145.

lIt is again emphasized that in accordance with my new subtracting principle, both adding and subtracting elements move always in the same direction, as pointed out above when relating the movement of disks 145 and 146 to shaft 105, which, of course, is rotated always in the'same direction by solenoids Z1, Z2, and-Z4.

The reference point, namely point of disk 146 (FIG. 8), rotates in the same direction around shaft 105, but the relative position of the adding and subtracting elements or disks is evaluated by means of the commutator, whose operation will be described in detail hereinbelow, under the heading Total Taking. It will also be noted that the possibility of actuating the adding and subtracting disks by the same stepping solenoids, is due to the fact that they move in the same direction.

Coming now to the carry-over operation, this has to take place whenever an accumulating element moves from its position 9 to its position 0 relatively to the Zero or home point. In the present instance, where co-directionally moving counting elements are used for algebraic summation as well as for delining the home point, the carry-over operation has to take place whether due to movement of the positive, that is adding, or the negative, that is subtracting and reference disk. Whenever the point 9 of an adding disk is about to move to bring the zero point of that element into coincidence with the heating home point of its reference and subtracting element, whether this is due to the movement of the adding or the subtracting disk, a carry-over operation must be carried out for bringing about a change of digit value one in the next higher order. rlhere is, however, one distinction, namely this change of one value in the next higher order has to be an increase when caused by an adding operation in the lower order, but decreased when `due to a subtracting operation in the lower order.

In the present embodiment of my invention, the carryover operation is carried out by means of the commutator construction shown in detail in FIGS. 7 to 10. The correlation of the two commutator disks and 146, in normal or starting condition for a carry-over, is indicated in FIG. 9, which is repeated in the circuit diagram of FIG. 20 of my above-identiiied patent which, however, does not show the entire contact S11, although the continuity of that contact is indicated by joining its broken olii end to point 321 of the next higher group of circuit Nc. The carry-over operation is first set up foreach unit in which the above described progress from 9 to 0 takes place, but it is actually carried out by means of the capacitor indicated at Cliil.

Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, it will be noted that the commutator contacts S1 and SZ of disks 145 are electrically connected and normally in contact with contact S11 of the reference disk 146 which Contact S11 is only interrupted through the partial length of one unit, following the positionof the home or zero point. As described in my above-identified patent, the contact S11 is at 321 connected to the grid of the clutch switching tube of the next higher group, contact S11 of the units set being connected to the tens tube Vt, whereas the contact S11 which goes with Vt is analogously connected to the grid of tube for the hundred digits, and so on. Normally (that is excepting the period from the time when point nine of the adding disk passes from the home point of the other element, until point zero of this adding element reaches the home point) a capacitor is enabled to discharge through the connection s1 s2- S11 The complete discharge circuit of capacitor C40 is C4@- S11-321--l9it-Bs72--C4d.` FIG. 9 shows the superimposed comrnutator disks (seen from one side as if transparent and hence rotating in the same direction as indicated by the arrows) in the adding position when point nine of the adding disk 14S (FIG. 7) coincides with the home point of the subtracting disk 146 (FIG. 8), further rotation of the adding disk bringing both zero points into coincidence. Contact S3 of the adding commutator disk is normally open when the point nine of that disk reaches home After point 9 of the adding disk passes home, S1--s2 become disconnected from S11 and instead connected to S12 on bus A). At the same time the normally open commutator contact S3 is connected to commutator contact S13 of the other disk which is through contacts S42 connected to the bus B, with relay Zop in the normal position shown in FiG. 20 of my above-identitied patent. It should be noted that capacitor C40 is normally disconnected from line B by switch S71 which is operated by condenser C0 under control of solenoid Zocll. This solenoid Zoc is energized when stepping tube G5 becomes conductive, due to the eiect of the fifth sequence mark 49. With commutator contact S13 thus connected to the negative bus B, and with commutator contacts s1-S2 connected to the positive bus A, capacitor C4@ charges in circuit S12-C40-S3-B12-s42. The disks 145 and 146 continue their relative movement until contact S3 of adding disk 145 again leaves contact S13 of reference disk 146, so that capacitor C4@ is now disconnected from the negative bus B, retaining its charge. With the two commutator disks further continuing their relative movement, vcontact s1 and with it contact s2 comes into contact with S11 of the reference disk just before the 0 position of adding disk 145 reaches home position of disk 1416. This position is shown in FIG. l0.

Keeping in mind that condenser C40 is still charged, the fifth sequence slit 49 now renders the fifth sequence -tube G5 conductive, energizing relay Zocl of the carryover unit, causing ZocZ by discharge of condenser C to close contacts S71, and putting capacitor C40 on the negative bus B. The capacitor C40 thus adds its charge to that of bus B, putting it on the grid of the non-conducting side of the next higher counting tube Vz which thereupon connects the corresponding clutch magnet. Slit 49, through tube G5, also energizes magnet Z1 from A32 which shifts the stepping solenoid Z1, and shaft 195, one step. This is eifected by slit 49 triggering G5 which closes relay Zocl direct and Z002 by discharge of condenser C0 thus putting `a negative potential on C411, causing this to discharge and applying a more positive potential to the grid of Vl. Both clutch magnet and shifting solenoid being thus actuated, the carry-over operation of adding one step to the next higher adding element is performed. It should be noted that the carry-over operation is prevented during the totalling and printing operations, to be described hereinbelow, due to the fact that during these last mentioned operations, contacts S42 and S32 of relay Zop are open.

The above description of the carry-over operation refers particularly to the situation when during an adding operation the adding element 145 progresses from its point nine to its point zero, on the iloating home point of lthe reference element. The corresponding situation occurs in the case of subtraction when the home point of the subtracting disk leaves the zero point of the adding element 14S and progresses to the nine point of its adding element. So far as the relative positions of the commutator contacts S1, s2, S11 and S12 and S3 and S13 are concerned, there is no difference between the two situations, the commutator being in effect symmetrical, no

matter Whether S2 and S3 approach S13 and S12 from one side or the other. It will Abe remembered that FIG. 9 shows the superimposed commutator switch disks in the adding position when point nine of the adding disk coincides with the home point of the subtracting disk, further rotation of the adding disk bringing both zero points into coincidence. On the other hand, assuming that the relative position of the disks is as shown in FIG. 10, the adding disk is stationary and the subtracting disk advances (in the same direction), the relative position of 'the commutator contacts at the start is that indicated in FIG. 10, which shows that, as above stated, the relation of the contacts is for present purposes the same.

However, since switch S52 of solenoid ZoS has during the subtracting operation, connected the subtracting clutch vmagnets instead of the adding clutch magnets, the subtracting disk instead of the adding disk of the next higher order is turned one step, reducing that order by one digit, which vis the proper operation in the situation.

It will be noted that, as explained above, the subtracting switching `tube Vs remains conductive for energizing its clutch magnet throughout the time period when the effect of the iifth sequence slit prevails, because the subtracting operational mark extends over all five sequence slits triggering the tube at the passing of each sequence slit, so that any carrying-over operation in a subtracting step is properly finished without premature interruption.

One operational mark which initiates and controls subtracting is of sufficient length to provide for successive vcarry-over operations, as in the instance where a first carry-.over step will cause simultaneously minus carryover operations in a multiple of orders positioned to the left of that rst order, as in the case of the so-called fugitive one which Vis discussed in detail in my aboveidentified patent, which also explains the simultaneous carry-over and carry-on-carry operations performed simultaneously with one and the same machine operation.

For that purpose, a contact S is located on the face of commutator switch disk 145 (FIGS. 7 to 10) at its 10 9 count at the home or zero position on disk 146 the contacts and are in contact one with the other. These two contacts will remain in circuit making relation so long as they are in this relative position.

The contact S5 on disk 145 is electrically connected from the condenser C40 through switch S1 on one order, to the contact S11 on the next order to the left which leads to point 321 on the grid circuit of the second order to the left. If in this sequence the second order to the left also shows a 9 count then this same circuit will establish a through connection to the third order to the left. An example of this phase of the operation is presented in my above patent which also explains the initiation of total taking and printing wherein the herein described apparatus functions as follows.

It will be remembered that the printing unit above described with reference to FIGS. 11 to 14, has type wheels whose numbers run in a sense opposite to that of the corresponding numbers of the accumulator or adding wheels, for the purpose which will presently become apparent.

Since for totalling all code marks are black on the record strip, and since the printer solenoids and clutch magnets are now in circuit, together with the accumulator clutch magnets and solenoids, all these are simultaneously energized during the totalling operations.

With the type wheel in position normaL the printer commutator contacts S25, and S26 of disk 233 are disconnected, resting in the space between the contacts S22 and S23 of the contacts of the opposite commutator disk 233 (FIGS. 11 to 14).

It will now be evident that, with all code marks eiective as explained in my above patent, and with the operational mark printing retaining the printing tube Vt conductive to energize magnet Zop, all adding disks and all printer wheels will advance due to the action of the solenoids Z1, Z2, Z4 and Z121, Zp., Zp4 rotating shafts and 265 (FIGS. l, 2 and 11). This movement will continue until any one adding disk reaches its home position on the subtracting or reference disk. Then, commutator contacts S4 and S14 of accumulator disks and 146 of the respective set, make connection. Commutator segment S4 leads to the minus bus B through contact S41 of solenoid Zop which is now closed, and commutator segment S14 connects to the grid g22 of tube Vu, or that V tube whose accumulator disk has reached the above mentioned home position. This immediately puts the grid on the negative bus B and renders the respective anode circuit non-conductive, cutting out the respective clutch magnets Za, Zp. Therefore, the respective printer wheel and accumulator disk will immediately stop. It should be noted that this stoppage 1s independent of the movement of the shifting solenoids Z1, Z2, Z4, Z111, ZpZ, Zp4, which may continue to move if the solenoid in question happens to be one which de- `iines more than one unit, such as solenoid Z4 or Zp4 which, after having brought its accumulator or printer into zero position, might continue to advance through an angle of 108, representing three number values.

Thus, assuming that any acumulator wheel was, when the totalling operation began, with its point n at the homing position, it will have turned 10-n steps before it comes to the above described stop, whereas the printer wheel, being inversely numbered, but turning in the same direction, will stop at n, that is the correct position for totalling and recording the total. All wheels whose zero adding wheel point has reached the home point of 11 the subtracting or reference wheel, are locked by the circuit through the segments .s4-S14 of their commutators.

While, as mentioned above, the sequence solenoids complete their action regardless of the energization or de-energization of the respective clutch magnets at the reaching of the home position of any one zero point of the adding wheel, the fth sequence slit, operating tube G5, energizes the hammer solenoid Zh, energizing the hammer 211 (FIG. 1l) and printing the ledger card presented thereto.

The above operation leaves the accumulator disks with all zero points at home position, but not the type wheels.

The operation of re-setting the type wheels is performed without the aid of operational of other marks, by means of the printer commutators shown in FiGS. 12 to 14. The space between two sets of tive sequence slits provides suiiicient time for this operation.

Referring now particularly to FIGS. 1l to 19 and to my above-identified patent, it will be noted that normally, that is before the totalling operation begins, the commutator contacts S25 and S23 of the commutator disks, as shown in FIG. 14. As mentioned above, with the total switching tube Vp conducting through anode 122, contacts S32 and S42 of solenoid Zop are disconnected, and with them the commutator contacts S25 and S26, the latter being kept open so long as tube Vp is conductive as above described, that is, until an accumulator wheel zero point reaches home position. When, after the totalling operation is performed, the tube Vp becomes ineffective because conductive through the non-operative anode Q21 and Zap cle-energized, connection is made through S22, S23, S26, S25, which are now in contact since the printer wheels are not in the zero position, which alone corresponds to contacts S215 and S26 being positioned in the gap between the two other printer commutator contacts. This circuit is completed through contacts of relay Zap and through the appropriate connections between the commutator segments S25 and S26, as shown at Np in FiG. 20 of the above patent. It will be further observed that the above position of the printer contacts locks out the printer commutator during the -totalling operation.

, Now, with S25 on S23, S26 on S22, and S32 and S42 of Zop closed, the printer solenoids and clutch magnets are energized directly through the printer commutator, in circuit A-s32-A32-S25'-s23-A31-R31-Zpu-s22 -S26-Bi2f-S4-2-, independently of tubes G |and V, advancing the printer wheels step by step until each wheel reaches the Zero position, when segments S25 and S26 become disconnected from S23 and S22 respectively, and the respective Vclutch magnets are disconnected. Each printer wheel therefore stops at its proper normal position, namely with the Zero type on the printing hammer.

The resistor R31 is inserted in this circuit in order to make it electrically equivalent to the corresponding tube control circuits which are otherwise utilized for energizing the respective clutching and shaft turning solenoids. Y

The accumulator disks are now with their Zero points at the home point of each respective subtracting or reference wheel, the printer wheels are at zero position relatively to the recording device, the required adding, subtracting, carrying over and totalling operations have been performed and recorded, and the apparatus is ready for further operation.

It should be understood that the present disclosure is for the purpose of illustration only and that this invention includes all modifications and equivalents which fall within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim: Y l

1. In apparatus of the type described, a magnetic actuating mechanism comprising base means, guide means supported on said base means, magnet means fast to said base means adjacent said guide means, magnetic core means forming a gap with said magnet means, operator means mounted for movement in a first mode relatively to said guide means and having an engaging portion, actuating means having an armature portion in and movable in a second mode transverse of said first mode within said gap and a coupling portion permanently within said engaging portion, a second magnet means magnetically coupled to said core means, and means for varying the relative strength of said second magnet means so as to reverse the flux in said gap, attraction of said armature portion to said irst magnet means moving said coupling portion relatively to said oase away from said operator means thereby to permit relative movement of said operator means and said actuating means in said first mode.

2. In apparatus of the type described, a magnetic actuating mechanism comprising base means, shaft means journaled on said base means, magnet means fast to said base means adjacent said shaft means, magnetic core means fast to said shaft means and forming a gap with said magnet means, operator means mounted on said shaft means rotatable relatively thereto and having an engaging portion, coupling means having an armature portion in and movable within said gap and a coupling portion permanently within said engaging portion, a second magnet means magnetically coupled to said core means and capable of counteracting the attraction of said rst magnet means, and means for varying the relative effect of said magnet means, attraction of said armature portion to said first magnet means arresting said operator means relatively to said base and repulsion of the armature portion from the rst magnet attaching said operator means to said core means, coupling the operator means to the shaft.

3. In apparatus of the type described, a magnetic actuating mechanism clutch comprising base means, shaft means supported on said base means, a magnetic means fast to said base means and surrounding said shaft means, magnetic core means surrounding said shaft means and forming a gap with said magnet means, operator means fastened to said base means, surrounding said shaft means and having an engaging portion and a contact portion, actuating means having an armature portion in and movable Within said gap, a contact portion permanently within said engaging portion, a second magnet means magnetically coupled to said core means, and means for varying the relative strength of said magnet means so as to reverse the uX in said gap, attraction of said armature portion to said first magnet means moving said operator means relatively to said base tending to disengage said contact portion and repulsion of the armature portion from the first magnet means tending to engage said contact portions.

4. In apparatus of the type described, a magnetic actuating mechanism comprising base means, shaftl means supported on said base means, magnet means fast to said base means and surrounding said shaft means, magnetic core means forming a gap with said magnet means, opera-tor means rotatably mounted relatively to said shaft means and having an engaging portion, actuating means having an armature portion in and movable within said gap and a coupling portion permanently within said engaging portion, a second magnet means magnetically coupled to said core means, and means for varying the relative strength of said second magnet means so as to reverse the linx in said gap, attraction of said armature portion to said first magnet means moving said operator means relatively to said base.

5. In apparatus of the type described, a magnetic clutch mechanism comprising base means, a shaft journaled on said base means, a permanent magnet fast to said base means and loosely surrounding said shaft means, a magnetic core cylinder fast to said shaft means and forming a gap with said permanent magnet, operator 3,079,477 13 14 means coaxially mounted on said shaft rotatable relaoperator means to said core cylinder, attaching said optively thereto and having an engaging slot, coupling erator means to said shaft. means having an armature disk in and movable Within said gap and surrounding said shaft and a coupling por- Referemes Cmd m the me of thls Patent tion permanently within said engaging slot, and a sole- 5 UNITED STATES PATENTS noid surrounding said core cylinder, attraction of said 649,102 Flechtenmacher May 8, 190() armature portion to said permanent magnet arresting said 1,020,185 Bullard et a1 Mar. 12, 1912 operator means relatively to said base and repulsion of 1,575,010 Scheer Mar. 2, 1926 the armature portion from the magnet coupling said 2,479,986 Thomas Aug. 23, 1949 

1. IN APPARATUS OF THE TYPE DESCRIBED, A MAGNETIC ACTUATING MECHANISM COMPRISING BASE MEANS, GUIDE MEANS SUPPORTED ON SAID BASE MEANS, MAGNET MEANS FACT TO SAID BASE MEANS ADJACENT SAID GUIDE MEANS, MAGNETIC CORE MEANS FORMING A GAP WITH SAID MAGNET MEANS, OPERATOR MEANS MOUNTED FOR MOVEMENT IN A FIRST MODE RELATIVELY TO SAID GUIDE MEANS AND HAVING AN ENGAGING PORTION, ACTUATING MEANS HAVING AN ARMATURE PORTION IN AND MOVABLE IN A SECOND MODE TRANSVERSE OF SAID FIRST MODE WITHIN SAID GAP AND COUPLING PORTION PERMANENTLY WITHIN SAID ENGAGING PORTION, A SECOND MAGNET MEANS MAGNETICALLY COUPLED TO SAID CORE MEANS, AND MEANS FOR VARYING THE RELATIVE STRENGTH OF SAID SECOND MAGNET MEANS SO AS TO REVERSE THE FLUX IN SAID GAP, ATTRACTION OF SAID ARMATURE PORTION TO SAID FIRST MAGNET MEANS MOVING SAID COUPLING PORTION RELATIVELY TO SAID BASE AWAY FROM SAID OPERATOR MEANS THEREBY TO PERMIT RELATIVE MOVEMENT OF SAID OPERATOR MEANS AND SAID ACTUATING MEANS IN SAID FIRST MODE. 